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Duke of Midnight
Maiden Lane series, Book 6
Elizabeth Hoyt

Hachette Audio
October 15, 2013 /ASIN: B00FJDXTFQ
Historical Romance / 1700s, London England / Audiobook - Unabridged / Explicit Language & Sex

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

 

I am new to the Maiden Lane series so this is my introduction to Elizabeth Hoyt, Maximus Batten (Duke of Wakefield) and Artemis Greaves (distant cousin/lady in waiting to the Duke’s Fiancé).

Maximus is hiding a secret. He’s The Ghost of St. Giles. At fourteen, his parents were murdered, and for twenty years, Maximus has watched over the people of St Giles while hunting for the murderer. Artemis admires her distant cousin’s Fiancé’ (Maximus). One night Artemis waits for Maximus to return. They have sex and Maximus admits his secret. Artemis’ has a brother named Apollo in Bedlam. He was physically assaulted while there and can’t speak. Maximus has Apollo released from Bedlam but keeps him chained and captive at his home. The storyline is basically their illicit romance, Maximus’ hunt for the murderer, Apollo’s past, and the danger it all puts them in. Expect loads of action … .

With this romance, I discovered Hoyt is an expert at setting scenes. Maximus’ harlequin scenes (especially with Scratch) held my attention. I found myself nodding in agreement with Maximus’ Valet and maiden sister as they reprimand him for having a mistress under the same roof as his Fiancé’. The dialogue flows and the historical London atmosphere is exciting and romantic.

However, the love scenes are too much for me. These are directly explicit. Instead of hearing romantic scenes of a couple finding each other, the reader witnesses a rude Duke treating (and speaking to) a young Virgin like a whore – quite vulgar at points. Don’t get me wrong, like a romantic, I want them to get together but I don’t want to witness near rape. I enjoyed the story just not the sex scenes…

Claudia Harris, narrator of three other Audible romances, brings Duke of Midnight to life. Harris successfully delivers a strong, rude Maximus, a cold-hearted Scratch, a young Artemis and a clueless Penelope. Having the 1700s England come to life on audio is a real treat. However, hearing explicit love scenes is not (for me, anyway). I think trimmed scenes would have been better…

At the end of the audio is a sample of Wicked Intentions .

Reviews of other titles in this series

Wicked Intentions #1 [book]
Notorious Pleasures #2 [book]
Duke of Midnight #6 [book] [audio]
Dearest Rogue #8 [audio]

Reviewed 2014
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